Good soup, good cause Festival raises funds for toy bank

Monday

Dec 9, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By Jennifer Puknews@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — Before the kickoff of the Rochester Holiday Parade, sixty-two people filled their bellies with warm, homemade goodness at the Rochester Firefighters annual Soup, Chili, and Chowder Fest Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall and raised $350 for the Rochester Firefighters Toy Bank.

Last year, 750 Rochester children received Christmas presents through their toy bank. The same amount is estimated this year. The money raised helps buy additional presents not donated to ensure that all the children receive at least one gift that they wished for, according to Rochester Fire Department Captain Paul LaClair.

For $5, guests ate all they could of the ten soup, chili, and chowders made by six local residents, The 306 Restaurant located on North Main Street in Rochester, and Dan Bullis of Frisbie Memorial Hospital. After trying each entry, they made the tough choice for their favorite, placing their secret ballot in a basket for their favorite soup, chili, and chowder. At the end of the fest, each soup, chili, and chowder with the most votes won a plaque.

“It’s all really good,” said Suzanne Gordon of Rochester, who attended for the first time this year. “They all did a fantastic job. I will definitely come again.”

Art Athanasiou, of Barrington, made his Haddock Chowder with fish he caught himself off the coast of Portsmouth. Athanasious also donated $50 to the Rochester Firefighters Toy Bank.

The 306 Restaurant won Best Chowder for their Corned Beef Chowder that includes everything that is in a corned beef dinner. They also served their In-House Chili, a hearty New England style.

“It’s for a good cause,” said Vince Crout-Hamel, owner of The 306 Restaurant, pleased to be part of the event for the sixth time this year.

Shelly LaClair, of Rochester, won Best Soup for her Tuscan Soup, a soup Sally Athanasiou of Barrington compared to Olive Garden’s.

Dan Bullis of Frisbie Hospital won for his White Bean Chicken Chili a base of jalapenos, spice, and secret ingredients. Bullis also served his New England Clam Chowder and corn bread.

Raffle tickets for the Rochester Toyota Toy Bank Raffle, which also benefit their Toy Bank, were sold. Raffle prizes include Boston Bruins tickets, Meadowbrook tickets, gift cards to CVS and Dunkin’ Donuts, and much more. Raffle tickets are available through the Rochester Fire Department by contacting Cindi at 330-7182 and cindi.potts@rochesternh.net. Winners will be drawn December 20.